WeCare rhymes with Lumière

'I have over 2 decades of rich and diverse experience in Technology, Market research & Digital marketing. Qualified in Systems Management, my passion has always been in the area of technology and I continuously upgraded skills & expertise in the related field', says Smitha Satpute's Linkedin bio.

Facebook nudges me of being friends for 8 years and puts up a picture of both of us in Tokyo in May. It is cherry blossom season, and we have concluded a customer centricity project with two day workshop as the finale. The year is 2009.

It all started when two moms started talking while waiting for the school bus that will bring their little boys home. The software professional on a career break met the travel industry professional who is back at work after a career break.

Rakhi Mohile who had years of experience in the travel industry was back at work after a career break. She traveled from Thane to Nerul and managed the Lumière travel desk. Rakhi was home that day as her inlaws were traveling, and she was working from home.

Smitha sent in her CV and we met. Her great attitude shone through. She was warm, engaging, confident and positive. Her education background and training in software and system management was differentiated and attractive. She had managed some independent projects. This showed her entrepreneurial mindset. She appeared to like to learn and we knew we could skill her in research. Attitude, aptitude and the fit with Lumière values were all in place. She tested well.

Smitha shared my belief in the power of intention. 'I want to work with this client', and said in the first Learning Monday of the New Year. And we did! 'I want us to do global projects', and we started doing projects in the Philippines and Indonesia. Smitha worked on FMCG and Pharma projects, but her passion lay in projects in Auto, Banking, Consumer Electronics, Telecom and Technology. She has worked her magic with aplomb.

A natural with process and efficiency, she supported other team members by writing macros and unlocking Excel functionalities. When we were evaluating different platforms for our workflow, she became a part of the lead technology team working alongside Milind Soman and Sonali Salvi. We became a case study in NYU for the early adoption of the Cloud.

Smitha would get frazzled with the intuitive manner in which we worked at Lumière. She was uncomfortable about being in the realm of the unknown. She gradually came to trust us. She was responsible and brought huge ownership to every client project, staying on course. With her ability to laugh at herself, she could lighten up a tense situation.

'I want to work with non-profits', announced Smitha, and we started work with St. Jude Child. We did programs and volunteer driven projects at the Kharghar ACTREC Centres. We set up process audits. Smitha's strengths in documentation are legion. Smitha went on to balance Lumière for her passion for community mobilisation and social work built around her love for music. She set up WeCare with her husband, Jeet Satpute. Working with Lumière allowed her the flexibility to choose her projects and take time off during shows.

Smitha spent 7 years with Lumière and connected us with stalwart team members like Pallavi Salvi. Since she knows Lumière and the way we work, she brought us our housekeeping and facility incharge, Ali Allal. 'He is completely trustworthy, honest, dependable and very flexible. You can train him and he has a superb attitude'. We hired Ali and he continues to be a fabulous enabler for the team members at Nav Durga and Miras consumer centre and guest house. She introduced her to Dr. Aparna Rao who is a believer in the idea of Lumière and our passion for entrepreneurship education.

Smitha is now an entrepreneur with her own social media company, WeCare, that provides services to businesses and brands in digital marketing, websites design & development, SEO & SEM activities, social media engagement, analytics and other services on the digital space. 

She has borrowed lessons in working flexibly with remote teams in managing her company. She balances time between her family and multiple interests.

A big ingredient in her win is her husband and partner, Jeet Satpute, who has been her strongest cheerleader and ally.

'I breathe Lumière', says Smitha with gratitude for the platform that has allowed her to explore every facet and help her find her purpose and sweet spot.

#womenworkwellbeing